Brixham Battery Museum

About the museum

A gun platform was established on the site in 1586 to guard against attack by Spain, and the battery was used again in 1688 when William III and his army landed at Brixham. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was known by several names, including Furzeham and Fishcombe, and an altitude marker and iron gun racers from this period survive. The buildings seen today date mostly from June to September 1940, when the emergency coastal battery was built after the evacuation from Dunkirk.

Of the 116 emergency batteries built in 1940 between John o'Groats and Land's End, only seven remain, and Brixham is the most complete. It is a scheduled monument. The battery worked with a similar battery at Corbyn Head, Torquay, and about one hundred officers and soldiers manned it, supported by local Home Guard volunteers.

The idea of using the former Artillery Training School hut as a museum arose in 1994 and a small group began to campaign for the site in 1995. The Brixham Battery Heritage Group was founded in 1999, became a registered charity in the same year, and the heritage centre was officially opened on 30 March 2002. Volunteers have since restored many of the original buildings. The museum, which does not charge entry, shows wartime artefacts including an Anderson shelter, and the grounds hold naval and anti-aircraft guns.

Highlights

• Most complete surviving Second World War emergency coastal battery of its type, a scheduled monument
• Genuine wartime Anderson shelter
• Naval and anti-aircraft guns in the grounds
• Restored ammunition tunnels, war shelter and Battery Observation Point
• Special event days with re-enactors, military vehicles and tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum in the former Artillery Training School hut – Wartime artefacts and displays on the battery and on Brixham in the war, including a genuine Anderson shelter.
• Restored battery buildings and grounds – The restored Second World War buildings, including the ammunition tunnels, the war shelter and the Battery Observation Point, with naval and anti-aircraft guns.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Brixham Battery Heritage Group (registered charity 1082171)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum is free; the museum relies on visitors' donations.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum site is described as wheelchair accessible and dog friendly.

Kids & families

School and youth groups are encouraged to visit.

Getting there & parking

The what3words location is celebrate.offices.permit.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A gift shop sells Battery souvenirs, militaria, books and toys, according to the museum website on special event days.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit